Laptop Shopping

[freakofnature]

I'm looking to get a new laptop in the very near future. I've had a Dell Inspiron for 4 years and I'd have no problem going back to Dell. However, I'm open to other suggestions. I use it for the internet, photo storage, word processing and music and I'm not into gaming. I'd rather not go with a Mac and I'd like to keep it under $1500. Just wondering what kind of specs are ideal and if there are any other recommendations.

 

[Alien Allen]

Why so much money?

Unless you are a gamer

Stay away from HP

I have had a couple Dells and one blew up a hard drive in 13 months

Other one is fine though

HP that I had were garbage

 

[JanieDough]

go to newegg.com and research the crap out of it

when I got my laptop I even found this video on it of this guy getting it in the mail, opening the box, booting it up, and testing all the features. So I got to see how loud it was when it ran, how bright the screen was, etc.

I don't think brands matter as much as they used to because it's really the specs. If the hardware is there, the hardware is there.

On newegg you can select by processors, then memory and other features.

I always wanted a front loading DVD drive. But good luck on finding that! If you do though it's cool.

and I would ask about specific specs and features - most the people on this board could probably tell you exactly what features you would need or want based off of what you are going to do with it.

you may end up with a $300 acer from walmart and it could last you five or six years.

 

[PoopaSwoof]

This looks pretty good.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=5571656&sku=T78-15611

 

[PoopaSwoof]

What Janie said.

Like this one. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220693

 

[Burntblood]

Why not stick with the Dell you already have?
If the hatched chickens aren't broken why try to crack new eggs?

 

[freakofnature]

Why not stick with the Dell you already have?
If the hatched chickens aren't broken why try to crack new eggs?

Because it's four years old and a bit messed up and I will take any excuse to buy a new toy.

 

[freakofnature]

Why so much money?

Unless you are a gamer

Stay away from HP

I have had a couple Dells and one blew up a hard drive in 13 months

Other one is fine though

HP that I had were garbage

I just threw that number out there. It doesn't have to be that much. I'd like something a little bit more than basic. :unsure: Maybe. I have no idea what I'm talking about. I've been warned about HPs before. :nod:

How much memory is adequate?

 

[JanieDough]

some operating systems take up like 15G's which is fucking ridiculous.

so I would go 80 or more.

And I don't even keep pictures or music on my computer - if you do that then you need more like 120.

 

[freakofnature]

I built myself a laptop on Dell.ca that had 4GB RAM and a 500GB hard drive. I take it that would be fantastic?

 

[JanieDough]

lol maybe excessive...

that's nothing unless you got a good processor though.

and ventilation. some Sony's like to overheat, but mine's been a Ok.

 

[freakofnature]

So...what's a good processor?

 

[JanieDough]

I'm not on the up and up.

the newest one from Intel should be good...or an AMD one...

I don't know CPU models anymore though. I am officially out of the loop. The last time I bought a computer was like three years ago!!

 

[JanieDough]

but see if you go here http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=32&name=Laptops-Notebooks

on the left you can select the computers with certain processors.

 

[freakofnature]

I appreciate all the input. :thumbup

 

[JanieDough]

whatever you decide to buy I would totally look up reviews like the one I was talking about - where the guy opens the box, etc.

 

[Tangerine]

The best processors on the market are the Intel I series. I5 ir I7 would be very solid for you for years to come. Get as much memory as you possibly can. Like 8GB. Sounds like you could scale back a bit on the hard drive - 500 gigs is a LOT. I would go with 300 to save a little money and up your memory to the max.

I have a Dell I bought in December. Love it.

 

[Francis]

Hey Zir.. Here is a report from a computer magazine web site CNET stating the best to worse laptops.. Best you make your own choice

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10400447-1.html?tag=rightColumnArea1.1So

Personally I would look at Costco's for one..

 

[freakofnature]

The best processors on the market are the Intel I series. I5 ir I7 would be very solid for you for years to come. Get as much memory as you possibly can. Like 8GB. Sounds like you could scale back a bit on the hard drive - 500 gigs is a LOT. I would go with 300 to save a little money and up your memory to the max.

I have a Dell I bought in December. Love it.

On the Dells I was looking at 500GB was standard and included in the price. :dunno 4GB was the standard for memory. What's the difference between 4 and 8 GB? Speed?

Which Dell did you get? I kinda like the Studio 17's.

 

[freakofnature]

Hey Zir.. Here is a report from a computer magazine web site CNET stating the best to worse laptops.. Best you make your own choice

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10400447-1.html?tag=rightColumnArea1.1So

Personally I would look at Costco's for one..

On the topic of reliability and failure rates, they should have Zenith in there. My very first laptop was a Zenith. I bought it in 1994 and it lasted me 12 years. :eek I was forced to buy my current laptop when it finally died on me in 2006.